Per the game manual, field reset volunteers are supposed to enter Cargo back onto the field “approximately at the point of exit”. I’d like to initiate a community discussion to emphasize some consistency in how this is done.
From watching the recent FACC event, it seems like Cargo exiting the field will be a relatively common occurrence. Due to the nature of the game, and the limited number of Cargo on the field, a Cargo that is thrown and goes bouncing across the field after exiting, is strategically impactful compared with a Cargo that is set just inside the field perimeter.
My concern is that Field Reset volunteers on the red and blue sides of the field are generally handling this the same way. It could be impactful if the red side volunteers are throwing the Cargo back onto the field while, blue side volunteers set their Cargo on the field. The impact to gameplay might be fairly minimal, but I think it’s notable enough to warrant discussion.
My interpretation of the rules is that a low energy placement of the Cargo, directly over the field perimeter is the optimal way for Field Reset volunteers to reenter Cargo.
Do you think the mechanics of this game piece, compared to 2020/2021 Power Cells, warrants more care in regards to field re-entry? I ask this because, in general, Power Cells tended to be thrown back in haphazardly and inconsistently and I don’t recall hearing much concern about that.
This provision was in the manual for 2020/2021, too. I know there weren’t many events, but at every event I was at, all the fieldside volunteers, field reset and others, attacked this challenge with some urgency, chasing after that game pieces and handing them to the nearest volunteer to place back on the field.
I’m guessing it won’t be an issue, and if you see an imbalance where one side’s volunteers don’t seem to be making a reasonable effort, go to the question box.
And at the box, ask for the Field Supervisor in addition to the Head Ref. FS so the resetters can be retrained, HR to double-check.
If course then there’s the issue of “what if the ball bounces off a volunteer and back into the field”, but that’s just what happens when you accidentally aim at an alert volunteer…
I think the concern being brought up here isn’t so much how quickly FIELD STAFF will be chasing down the CARGO, but whether when reintroducing it back onto the field if it is “placed” vs. “thrown” in, as if it’s “thrown” it may be much harder for robots to chase down and try to intake.
If people are genuinely concerned about the definition of PLACED as used in 6.7, seems like a not completely unreasonable question for the Q&A.
[opinion] If I were crafting the answer, I’d want to make the general point that it shouldn’t matter, and that field staff may place the CARGO on the field at the height of the perimeter or drop it from a bit higher, and teams shouldn’t design strategies around CARGO exiting the field and being reintroduced. [/opinion]
If I read your concern correctly, you’re primarily worried about an imbalance of red vs blue re-entry to the field.
There’s a pair of things I’d point out here.
First, the real concern here isn’t consistency across events as much as it is consistency within an event. In that end, a better forum for the question is the drive team meeting where you can get that question in front of the Field Supervisor and get the thought on their mind. As that will directly impact your event where CD may not, I’d encourage you to focus your efforts there =)
Second, this is a concern that makes more sense in a game where field reset are likely to be specific to an alliance. Field Reset replacing cargo for past games are placing it near where one of the two alliances are more likely to pull in balls. In this game, there isn’t a designated shooting area for either alliance. All parts of the field are equally likely to be used by both alliances. Even with inconsistent field resetters, this gets averaged out a bit by the notion that field resetters are just as likely to touch a red ball as a blue ball. If one way is advantageous, there isn’t a specific individual that’s likely to add to that advantage for a single alliance as they’d be handling both sets with similar probabilities.
On placed vs thrown, note that the field reset volunteers are trying to reintroduce the element quickly, without being in anyone’s way. (I’d like the ref not to step on or collide with me while doing this task.)
This means it is unlikely the ball will be gently placed. I’m not throwing it with all my might, but it is likely to roll some.
Oh, I didn’t mean the refs would need to do it. I meant I (as field reset) want to get out of the refs way as fast as humanly possible. So while I’m not going to throw the ball, I’m also not going to painstakingly place it down and ensure it doesn’t roll away.
“CARGO that leaves the FIELD, other than via the TERMINAL, are placed back into the FIELD approximately at the point of exit by FIELD STAFF (REFEREES, FIRST Technical Advisors (FTAs), or other staff working around the FIELD) at the earliest safe opportunity.” RULE
Approximately is not defined in Game Manual so default to Webster Dictionary " almost correct or exact: close in value or amount but not precise" So approx. to the exit point.
There is plenty of room so other volunteers (Field Staff) should feel free to place accordingly IMO
The intent of this manual is that the text means exactly, and only, what it says. Please avoid interpreting the text based on assumptions about intent, implementation of past rules, or how a situation might be in “real life.” There are no hidden requirements or restrictions. If you’ve read everything, you know everything.
The word “placed” occurs ten times in the Manual. Each time, the common meaning seems to be “positioned in a desired location so that it will not move subsequently”. The objects mentioned include CARGO (4x), ROBOTS (3x), BUMPERS (1x), PRESSURE GAGES (1x), and VENT PLUGS (1x). In nine of those instances it is clear what “placed” means, and the tenth is the one we are discussing here.
Totally agree. I’m just not sure we’ve actually reached a definition of PLACED. But, like I said earlier, I’ve never seen this be problematic and don’t think it’ll matter. But for folks who are concerned, I do believe it is true that PLACED is up to interpretation still.
Interesting, expect “A: We cannot comment absolutely on hypothetical scenarios. The ultimate decision would be determined by the REFEREES at your event, with the final call made by the Head REFEREE.”
PLACED is not defined in game manual thus “placed” IMO
